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In 2016, a small group of entrepreneurs, creatives
and innovators from the greater Madison County region gathered in a local tap room in search of community, support and answers to common questions. In short order, this loosely organized group was galvanized to become Vesuvius Coworking Inc. (VCi). Today VCi is widely regarded as the authentic voice of the region’s Entrepreneur and Innovator community.

VCi exists to advance the interests of our regional innovation ecosystem. Facilitating high-level conversations, enabling cross-sector collaboration, and hosting strategic gatherings, the VCi team works tirelessly for the benefit of our community. Favoring genuine relationships over networking, we bring leaders together to drive positive change and move our region forward.

In the early years, VCi worked diligently to create opportunities for our region’s fledgling innovation ecosystem to coalesce. Flagship event series such as StartUp MeetUp, an every other week collaborative event, allowed small curated groups of entrepreneurs and industry experts to build relationships while learning from one another. Over 500 Unique Entrepreneurs and Innovators have attended one of more meetups.

In 2018, VCi started Vesuvius Coworking Pitch Night (VCPN), the region’s largest innovation Idea Generation Event attracting over 750 attendees and 20 presentations. The VCPN keynote by Elevate Ventures COO, was the first Major Venture Capital Firms Official Visit to Madison County in many years. The State of Indiana Economic Development team were the first to financially and logistically support VCPN. As a Result of VCPN’s over 80 Applications have been recieved by local Innovators and Entrepreneurs. They were reviewed by 11 Highly Successful Entrepreneurs from around the country. Aerial Fit2Fly, Farm Society and Madison County Pickleball have been enabled by the dollars raised and were selected by the Audience to receive over 80% of the monies raised with no strings.

In the past three years the greater Madison County region’s innovation ecosystem has developed immensely. There are now more resources, events, and opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect than ever before. With that in mind, VCi has set out to better understand the dynamics of our community and use that under-standing to help guide critical policy and investment decisions, maximize impact, and increase the competitiveness of our region.

Why Now?

The VCi Startup Census is being created in response to a need for a more granular, localized understanding of our region’s innovation ecosystem. In the last decade the greater Madison County region, and Anderson in particular, has experienced a surge of entrepreneurial activity. Many different factors have influenced this momentum, some better understood than others, but where are we now? And where do we go from here?

How will the policy decisions and investments we make today affect the long term viability and competitive position of our region in the future? These are incredibly difficult questions to answer. Without a clear understanding of what drives this part of our local economy, choosing the best path forward becomes almost impossible. VCi does not pretend to be capable of making these difficult decisions, but we can help those who do.

The VCi Census provides the missing context that decision makers need to chart a path with confidence. The hyper-local focus of the Census allows unique insights and relevant data to surface that would otherwise go unnoticed. By repeating the Census each year, long term trends will emerge in the data that not only help guide us going forward, but measure past progress as well.

2020 marks the first of what will become the annual VCi Census. Over the course of several months, hundreds of local companies will be asked to add to tens of thousands of data points. Our data science team will use the database to generate visualizations and identify possible correlations for analysis which will be presented in the first annual “Vesuvius Coworking Inc. Census Report”, released in April 2020.

In 2020, VCi will complete this process with the goal of more than 100 Companies and dramatically expanding currently hidden data. All data will be anonymized and displayed in a way that protects the privacy of Census participants and the proprietary information of participating companies.

The data collection, analysis and report will be completed to the highest scientific standard the project’s resources allow. Best efforts have been made to eliminate bias and confounding variables wherever possible. It is important to note, however, that the information to be presented in this report does not represent a comprehensive assessment of every company in the region nor will the results necessarily represent the views of our partners.

The Survey will become Available before January 1st 2020. For many businesses this will be your first chance to have your data speak to the community and raise the profile of your contribution to the region. Please make sure Vesuvius has your email address to keep you in the loop.

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[/mpc_textblock][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][mpc_image image=”704″ image_link=”url:%23yang_jiang|||” padding_divider=”true” margin_divider=”true” force_fullwidth=”true” image_opacity=”100″ image_border_divider=”true” image_border_all=”5″ image_border_style=”solid” image_border_color=”#ffffff” image_border_radius=”999″ image_inner_border_gap=”0″ effect=”grey-scale” image_hover_opacity=”100″ image_hover_border_divider=”true” overlay_icon_border_divider=”true” overlay_icon_margin_divider=”true” overlay_icon_padding_divider=”true” overlay_padding_divider=”true” mpc_ribbon__border_divider=”true” mpc_ribbon__padding_divider=”true” mpc_ribbon__margin_divider=”true”][vc_custom_heading text=”Yang Jiang (DD) ” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff” use_theme_fonts=”yes” link=”url:%23yang_jiang|||”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][mpc_image image=”705″ image_link=”url:%23lauren_bentle|||” padding_divider=”true” margin_divider=”true” force_fullwidth=”true” image_opacity=”100″ image_border_divider=”true” image_inner_border_gap=”0″ effect=”grey-scale” image_hover_opacity=”100″ image_hover_border_divider=”true” overlay_icon_border_divider=”true” overlay_icon_margin_divider=”true” overlay_icon_padding_divider=”true” overlay_padding_divider=”true” mpc_ribbon__border_divider=”true” mpc_ribbon__padding_divider=”true” mpc_ribbon__margin_divider=”true”][vc_custom_heading text=”Lauren Bentle” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff” use_theme_fonts=”yes” link=”url:%23lauren_bentle|||”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][mpc_image image=”707″ image_link=”url:%23kristen_cooper|||” padding_divider=”true” margin_divider=”true” force_fullwidth=”true” image_opacity=”100″ image_border_divider=”true” image_inner_border_gap=”0″ effect=”grey-scale” image_hover_opacity=”100″ image_hover_border_divider=”true” overlay_icon_border_divider=”true” overlay_icon_margin_divider=”true” overlay_icon_padding_divider=”true” overlay_padding_divider=”true” mpc_ribbon__border_divider=”true” mpc_ribbon__padding_divider=”true” mpc_ribbon__margin_divider=”true”][vc_custom_heading text=”Kristen Cooper” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff” use_theme_fonts=”yes” link=”url:%23kristen_cooper|||”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][mpc_image image=”708″ image_link=”url:%23mike_seidle|||” padding_divider=”true” margin_divider=”true” force_fullwidth=”true” image_opacity=”100″ image_border_divider=”true” image_inner_border_gap=”0″ effect=”grey-scale” image_hover_opacity=”100″ image_hover_border_divider=”true” overlay_icon_border_divider=”true” overlay_icon_margin_divider=”true” overlay_icon_padding_divider=”true” overlay_padding_divider=”true” mpc_ribbon__border_divider=”true” mpc_ribbon__padding_divider=”true” mpc_ribbon__margin_divider=”true”][vc_custom_heading text=”Mike Seidle” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff” use_theme_fonts=”yes” link=”url:%23mike_seidle|||”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][mpc_image image=”706″ image_link=”url:%23nick_birch|||” padding_divider=”true” margin_divider=”true” force_fullwidth=”true” image_opacity=”100″ image_border_divider=”true” image_inner_border_gap=”0″ effect=”grey-scale” image_hover_opacity=”100″ image_hover_border_divider=”true” overlay_icon_border_divider=”true” overlay_icon_margin_divider=”true” overlay_icon_padding_divider=”true” overlay_padding_divider=”true” mpc_ribbon__border_divider=”true” mpc_ribbon__padding_divider=”true” mpc_ribbon__margin_divider=”true”][vc_custom_heading text=”Nick Birch” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff” use_theme_fonts=”yes” link=”url:%23nick_birch|||”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][mpc_image image=”709″ image_link=”url:%23michael_buckley|||” padding_divider=”true” margin_divider=”true” force_fullwidth=”true” image_opacity=”100″ image_border_divider=”true” image_inner_border_gap=”0″ effect=”grey-scale” image_hover_opacity=”100″ image_hover_border_divider=”true” overlay_icon_border_divider=”true” overlay_icon_margin_divider=”true” overlay_icon_padding_divider=”true” overlay_padding_divider=”true” mpc_ribbon__border_divider=”true” mpc_ribbon__padding_divider=”true” mpc_ribbon__margin_divider=”true”][vc_custom_heading text=”Michael Buckley” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff” use_theme_fonts=”yes” link=”url:%23michael_buckley|||”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][mpc_image image=”710″ image_link=”url:%23FX|||” padding_divider=”true” padding_right=”15″ padding_left=”15″ margin_divider=”true” force_fullwidth=”true” image_opacity=”100″ image_border_divider=”true” image_inner_border_gap=”0″ effect=”grey-scale” image_hover_opacity=”100″ image_hover_border_divider=”true” overlay_icon_border_divider=”true” overlay_icon_margin_divider=”true” overlay_icon_padding_divider=”true” overlay_padding_divider=”true” mpc_ribbon__border_divider=”true” mpc_ribbon__padding_divider=”true” mpc_ribbon__margin_divider=”true”][vc_custom_heading text=”FX Jammes- COO- CMG WorldWide” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff” use_theme_fonts=”yes” link=”url:%23FX|||”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][mpc_modal frequency=”onclick” onclick_id=”yang_jiang” max_width=”60″ max_height=”75″ alignment=”left” close_overlay=”true” mpc_icon__icon=”eti eti_close” mpc_icon__icon_color=”#000000″ mpc_icon__icon_size=”30″ mpc_icon__border_divider=”true” mpc_icon__padding_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_css=”margin-top:30px;margin-right:30px;” mpc_icon__hover_icon_color=”#496dbd” mpc_icon__hover_border_divider=”true” background_color=”#ffffff” border_divider=”true” border_css=”border-width:10px;border-color:#000000;border-style:solid;” padding_divider=”true” padding_css=”padding:40px;” margin_divider=”true” margin_css=”margin:30px;”][vc_row_inner content_placement=”top”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”704″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Yang Jiang (Nickname-DD)” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1516043242489{margin-bottom: 3px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1516045294722{margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”]Currently working on: Co-founder of Juno & Co. –Thejuno.co – bringing you low cost, quality makeup and tools that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get.  Raised over half a million dollars on indigogo.com  for Juno & Co.’s “smartest makeup mirror ever”  Just released the app and website this past November.

Recent Project: Interactive Designer for the Microdrone 3.0-www.microdrone.co.uk– Raised over $3.5M on Indiegogo.com to fund Microdrone 3.0, It’s small, smart and streams HD footage to your phone.

What are you looking for in a pitch? I think the personality of the person, what can they bring to the table.  How passionate he is about his project, his lifetime experiences.  If you’re doing an app for photography, I’d hope you’d have some experience.  I want to know why you’re good at it, how, your experience level.   I want to see the story.   Instead of codes or numbers, especially if it’s not a business idea I need to hear the story and make sure they are passionate. Other VCs want to know what your speciality is and why you think you are a good fit for this role. We look for sustainability.  They [investors] want a long-term relationship with you.

What advice do you have for a first-time entrepreneur/pitcher? I think it’s really-to be brave, be shameless.  A lot of people might look down on you or not trust you because you haven’t done anything like this- but if you like this idea bring it out. I think there is a world of resources- it’s all about persistence.  Even if you don’t win, do it every day- keep yourself going to the goal. It’s what I do every day, I get out there and am persistent, even if the first answer is no.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/mpc_modal][mpc_modal frequency=”onclick” onclick_id=”lauren_bentle” max_width=”60″ max_height=”75″ alignment=”left” close_overlay=”true” mpc_icon__icon=”eti eti_close” mpc_icon__icon_color=”#000000″ mpc_icon__icon_size=”30″ mpc_icon__border_divider=”true” mpc_icon__padding_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_css=”margin-top:30px;margin-right:30px;” mpc_icon__hover_icon_color=”#496dbd” mpc_icon__hover_border_divider=”true” background_color=”#ffffff” border_divider=”true” border_css=”border-width:10px;border-color:#000000;border-style:solid;” padding_divider=”true” padding_css=”padding:40px;” margin_divider=”true” margin_css=”margin:30px;”][vc_row_inner content_placement=”top”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”705″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Lauren Bentle” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1516044296547{margin-bottom: 3px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1516045328108{margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”]Tour and Interactive Content Producer- Lauren spent the first 8 years of her career in Losa Angeles, CA producing commercials, trailers, and other advertising content with a heavy focus on the video game and toy industries.  This was followed by a brief stint with TBWA/Media Arts Lab (Apple) working on the iPhone 6 team.  She has relocated to Cincinnati and Lightborne Inc where she produces content for artists like the Zac Brown Band, Halsey, Pink, and Meghan Trainor.

What are you looking for in a pitch?  What I’d love to see in a pitch is passion and personality. I need to walk away just as excited as you are about your business, your ideas and you – and the best way to do that is to speak openly and honestly about what your business means to you or how you feel it can provide a needed service for your community.  It sounds so cliché, but “Be Yourself.”

For someone giving a pitch for the first time- what advice can you give? Do your homework and practice your pitch beforehand!  If you’re going to win people over, you have to know what you’re going to say and how you’re going to say it.  It may not come as naturally as you’d like it to if you suffer from nerves like me, so take the time to get a few rehearsals under your belt.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/mpc_modal][mpc_modal frequency=”onclick” onclick_id=”kristen_cooper” max_width=”60″ max_height=”75″ alignment=”left” close_overlay=”true” mpc_icon__icon=”eti eti_close” mpc_icon__icon_color=”#000000″ mpc_icon__icon_size=”30″ mpc_icon__border_divider=”true” mpc_icon__padding_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_css=”margin-top:30px;margin-right:30px;” mpc_icon__hover_icon_color=”#496dbd” mpc_icon__hover_border_divider=”true” background_color=”#ffffff” border_divider=”true” border_css=”border-width:10px;border-color:#000000;border-style:solid;” padding_divider=”true” padding_css=”padding:40px;” margin_divider=”true” margin_css=”margin:30px;”][vc_row_inner content_placement=”top”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”707″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Kristen Cooper” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1516043591238{margin-bottom: 3px !important;}” link=”|||”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1516045421277{margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”]Current Project: CEO and Founder of The Startup Ladies- thestartupladies.org– The Startup Ladies identify, educate, connect and increase investment in women entrepreneurs starting up scalable businesses. The membership organization hosts programming for budding entrepreneurs and first time investors.

Recent Projects: VP of Operations and Corporate Development at Sticksnleaves,  Exec Director of Corporate Partnerships &Membership Sales and Events at Indy Chamber. Launched Women in Business series. DOO at the Riverview Hospital Foundation, Major Gifts Officer at Butler University and University of California, Santa Barbara.

What are you looking for in a pitch? Especially since this is such a different format, with possibilities for non-profits, artwork, basically ANYTHING eligible to benefit Madison County?

Begin by clearly explaining how you and members of the community perceive the problem.  Then, articulate how your solution will resolve the problem while providing additional benefits

What advice do you have for those selected to stand out on pitch night?

Be yourself and prove your concept.

What would be your words of wisdom to someone trying to start out, possibly for the first time, in a smaller market like Madison County?  Think about the biggest version of yourself and your idea.  Use this pitch session as an exercise to prepare for the entrepreneurial journey that you’re about to embark on.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/mpc_modal][mpc_modal frequency=”onclick” onclick_id=”mike_seidle” max_width=”60″ max_height=”75″ alignment=”left” close_overlay=”true” mpc_icon__icon=”eti eti_close” mpc_icon__icon_color=”#000000″ mpc_icon__icon_size=”30″ mpc_icon__border_divider=”true” mpc_icon__padding_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_css=”margin-top:30px;margin-right:30px;” mpc_icon__hover_icon_color=”#496dbd” mpc_icon__hover_border_divider=”true” background_color=”#ffffff” border_divider=”true” border_css=”border-width:10px;border-color:#000000;border-style:solid;” padding_divider=”true” padding_css=”padding:40px;” margin_divider=”true” margin_css=”margin:30px;”][vc_row_inner content_placement=”top”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”708″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Mike Seidle” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1516043661312{margin-bottom: 3px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1516045488573{margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”]Currently working on: Co-Founder, COO, & CMO of WorkHere- WorkHere.com– We’re going to employers and say we’ll find hyper local as close as possible to your business.  Our process leads to higher quality hires and less time. Nobody out there actually talks to job seekers. We are not just a form, but actually talk to job seekers.  We help bridge the gap through clear expectations and job coaching that lands them the job, and the company receives a high value hire in less time.  We are local to Indiana and branching out with national clients.

Brought you: Virtual Payment Systems

What are you looking for in a pitch? Total Allowable Market is a big thing. How many people can you sell your product to? That is really hard to figure out when you’re starting, but it’s the key to be able to get going.   I don’t like sending people into a pitch night who don’t have the market size, or if they haven’t really thought that through.   I also look at the founders, what they’re doing and who they are as people.  I absolutely love entrepreneurs, and love to see them succeed so want them to have the tools going out.

What is your advice to first time entrepreneurs?   Know your market. It’s so hard to do when you’re starting out, but it’s the key to be able to get going.  The other thing is to start fast. Not build the perfect thing before you test the market.  Go test it, see if people will go buy it.  We did it with our community managers at WorkHere.  If it works do it.  Don’t do it in an imaginary way. Real world feedback will help you find something that will actually work.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/mpc_modal][mpc_modal frequency=”onclick” onclick_id=”nick_birch” max_width=”60″ max_height=”75″ alignment=”left” close_overlay=”true” mpc_icon__icon=”eti eti_close” mpc_icon__icon_color=”#000000″ mpc_icon__icon_size=”30″ mpc_icon__border_divider=”true” mpc_icon__padding_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_css=”margin-top:30px;margin-right:30px;” mpc_icon__hover_icon_color=”#496dbd” mpc_icon__hover_border_divider=”true” background_color=”#ffffff” border_divider=”true” border_css=”border-width:10px;border-color:#000000;border-style:solid;” padding_divider=”true” padding_css=”padding:40px;” margin_divider=”true” margin_css=”margin:30px;”][vc_row_inner content_placement=”top”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”706″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Nick Birch” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1516044373089{margin-bottom: 3px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1516121134058{margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”]Currently working on: PropelUp- propelup.io– We’re launching a platform that is like google maps for learning. An educational tool for software developers.   So much information is available, and it’s overwhelming. The challenge individuals and communities have is they don’t know how to navigate this information and what that path to learning looks like. We are building a tool that can build pathways for people, and how to build projects around that experience.  They can identify the what and the when.  We’re making this technology education accessible at all levels.

Recent Projects: Eleven Fifty Academy, Eleven Fifty Consulting

What would you do with the prize money?  Generally, think about how am I going to learn as much as possible about this problem with as little output as possible.  What lowest cost experiments can I set up to validate this is a real problem?  I would put everything towards understanding the problem and the customers, if I’m still in the idea stage.  If I want to build a $3,000 robot to walk a dog because it’s annoying that’s great- but is that a problem someone is willing to pay $3,000 to solve for themselves? Will it actually solve the problem?

What’s an important lesson to learn for entrepreneurs?  It doesn’t take a whole lot of money and investment to learn.  I’ve tried to optimize learning as much as you can for as little investment as possible. Frequently we build technology, and a year later they threw it out because it didn’t solve the problem.  It’s easy to spend a whole lot of money to build something that doesn’t solve the problem.  Talk to as many people as possible so you can correctly identify the problem you’re trying to solve and make sure your solution is relevant, useful.

What is the toughest part of being an entrepreneur? There’s a general path, but there’s no playbook or instruction for what you do next.  In our case, what we’re building doesn’t exist.  Nobody knows what’s going to happen or where do we go from here?  Education is huge- so who is this for? Adults, kids, different sales cycles, decision processes are different.  We have to decide all this, I can get input- but I have to decide it and make that call.  Making those decisions- they could kill the company- you make the wrong one and it’s over.  Not always, but the possibility is there.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/mpc_modal][mpc_modal frequency=”onclick” onclick_id=”FX” max_width=”60″ max_height=”75″ alignment=”left” close_overlay=”true” mpc_icon__icon=”eti eti_close” mpc_icon__icon_color=”#000000″ mpc_icon__icon_size=”30″ mpc_icon__border_divider=”true” mpc_icon__padding_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_css=”margin-top:30px;margin-right:30px;” mpc_icon__hover_icon_color=”#496dbd” mpc_icon__hover_border_divider=”true” background_color=”#ffffff” border_divider=”true” border_css=”border-width:10px;border-color:#000000;border-style:solid;” padding_divider=”true” padding_css=”padding:40px;” margin_divider=”true” margin_css=”margin:30px;”][vc_row_inner content_placement=”top”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”710″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”FX Jammes- COO- CMG WorldWide” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1516044437853{margin-bottom: 3px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1516198728897{margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”]Background: -A French native, FX came to the U.S. for his college education in engineering.  Upon graduation he returned to France to work on the design of bridges and infrastructure. He returned to the U.S. once again to attend Standford for his MBA. FX  became an integral part of raising over $150M for Beipei, an online app to sell used cars, in their first 18 months.

Advice to pitchers to stand out: It is so important to really believe what you’re saying, what you preach.  Tell the audience why you’re the best fit to take the business to the next level.  Your experience, it’s you, and it’s extremely valuable.  Try to meet people with experience in the industry- the community is very helpful so really reach out and see how you can make it [your product] better.  Take your feedback you get from the contest and bring it to the next level. Next, spend time with your customer, get out of the building.  Make it more appealing and more valuable.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/mpc_modal][mpc_modal frequency=”onclick” onclick_id=”michael_buckley” max_width=”60″ max_height=”75″ alignment=”left” close_overlay=”true” mpc_icon__icon=”eti eti_close” mpc_icon__icon_color=”#000000″ mpc_icon__icon_size=”30″ mpc_icon__border_divider=”true” mpc_icon__padding_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_css=”margin-top:30px;margin-right:30px;” mpc_icon__hover_icon_color=”#496dbd” mpc_icon__hover_border_divider=”true” background_color=”#ffffff” border_divider=”true” border_css=”border-width:10px;border-color:#000000;border-style:solid;” padding_divider=”true” padding_css=”padding:40px;” margin_divider=”true” margin_css=”margin:30px;”][vc_row_inner content_placement=”top”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”709″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Michael Buckley” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1516044882816{margin-bottom: 3px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1516121155762{margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”]Currently working on: CEO & Co-Founder of Cadence, an app for events, meetings, and conferences.  Cadence simplifies event management so that you can focus on what really matters: delivering the message to your audience. Cadence, a finalist in MassChallenge Boston 2017, is a platform that will have true purpose for event organizers and attendees around the world. Check them out at www.eventsthatflow.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/mpc_modal][/vc_column][/vc_row]